"This is going to help students understand what it means to live in a sustainable environment," said Donna McGalliard, dean of residence life and housing.

"Sustainability is not just a fad or passing trend. We want to be good stewards and teach students to be good stewards of the environment," McGalliard stated.

South Residence Hall was designed and built to meet Leadership in Energy and Design (LEED) certification standards at the Silver level , the article noted.

According to the article, natural light is an essential part of the design: Double-paned aluminum windows match the style of older buildings on campus, but their high-efficiency and low maintenance provide an important energy-saving element.